Connecticut school named for slain Newtown teacher Victoria Soto

A photo of Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto is held outside of her funeral at the Lordship Community Church in Stratford, Conn. on Dec. 19.

By Vignesh Ramachandran, Staff Writer, NBC News

Updated 10 p.m. ET: The Stratford, Conn., Town Council voted Monday to name a new primary school building after Victoria Soto, one of six staffers killed during December's tragic school shooting in nearby Newtown, Conn., NBC Connecticut reported.

Stratford Mayor John Harkins told NBCConnecticut.com that he recommended the town council name the new site for Stratford Academy's Honeyspot House building after 27-year-old Soto. The town of Stratford, where Soto reportedly grew up in, is located just about 22 miles southeast from Newtown. She graduated from New Stratford High School in 2003.

Monday's Stratford Town Council meeting agenda includes the naming resolution and states, "Soto's courage, dedication and self-sacrifice demonstrate a strength of character and extraordinary commitment to her students of the absolute highest magnitude."

"This tragedy has affected so many people," Harkins told NBCConnecticut.com. "But I think the one thing great about the Stratford community is the outpouring of support and people wanting to recognize her and what she did."

Harkins has said the family supports the renaming tribute, as does the town's Board of Education members, Reuters reported. The mayor told NBCConnecticut.com Soto's aunt reportedly had taught at the old school building. Harkins also hopes to build a memorial for Soto.

Construction for Honeyspot House's new school building will begin over the summer and is expected to open in 2014, NBCConnecticut.com reported.